Delphi Fox, named for the ancient colonist, felt restless. He stood alone on the coastal fortress in Delphi, the city of his namesake and second largest within the Gaian continent. But he was not looking out over the city skyline, as many visitors were doing – admiring the view of the flood plains beyond; the river bearing the city's name snaking off to the foothills beyond.
No, Fox looked ever out to sea. With the growing enthusiasm of naval exploration, fuelled by recent breakthroughs of Gaian science, his thoughts were not often on solid ground. At least, not this side of the Eastern Ocean.
Approaching footsteps had him looking over his shoulder, and he smiled slightly as Jane Pilat, daughter of Delphi's governor and niece of the Kahn, walked over to join him. She was also one of his best friends, and possibly knew him better than anyone. Alright, he conceded, some of his thoughts did indeed lie this side of the Ocean.
"Alone again, I see?" Jane asked, although it wasn't really a question. Fox was to be found here almost any given free-day, alone with his thoughts.
He allowed himself another small smile. "Why, I do believe you're right." He paused, looking at her. "Well, not now I'm not."
"Would you prefer to be?" she asked slightly edgily.
He regarded her with a friendly grin. "Not if that company's you, of course not."
She smiled before she could catch herself. "You'd better not be teasing me," she said ominously, but hardly seriously.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied lightly, but turned back to his contemplation of the azure water, laid out before them, sparkling in the near-tropical sunlight.
"Dreaming again." This time it was not a question. They ran through this routine almost every week, with only slight variations.
"Even dreams can be realised," he replied cryptically, and she regarded him curiously. This was new. He turned to face her again, to see her reaction.
"I'm leaving tonight for the capital; I've a meeting with your uncle. My ideas intrigue him." She stared at him wide-eyed, and he continued, pointing down at the harbour. "That ship is what's taking me across the bay to Gaia." The ship he identified was one of the new ocean-exploration vessels. "Whether it bears me back here is yet to be decided, I expect."
The import of what he was saying slowly sunk in.
"You mean you're leaving? Over the seas, I mean –starting another colony?" She sounded disbelieving – understandably so. It had been his dream most of life to explore over the seas, establishing a new Gaian outpost like his namesake had once achieved, but until recently that was not even remotely possible.
He shrugged. "That's yet to be decided, as I said. The Kahn promised me a meeting, nothing more. But I'm positive I can sway him – I don't believe for a second that my dreams are unique; I'm sure it's been in his mind to expand Gaia over the seas, once we were able to. Why else would we even explore, if not to expand?"
She couldn't really refute that. "Who else?" she asked instead.
"A number of volunteers. My brother hopefully, if I can convince him." His brother worked in Gaia in the entertainment industry, setting up for plays and shows in the various theatres around the capital. But Fox knew for a fact that he was frustrated with his administrators, and hoped to offer him something new. "I haven't mentioned it to him yet, but I'm expecting he'll be interested." He avoided mentioning who else he would have join him if he could.
She nodded slowly and thoughtfully, and he wondered if she'd caught the missed reference. "Can I come with you?" She asked suddenly, and his eyes widened slightly. "To Gaia, I mean," she continued, noticing and possibly misinterpreting his reaction. "I'd like to see my uncle again."
Fox regained his composure and shrugged. "I'm certainly not going to stop you," he said amiably. "The ship leaves tomorrow soon after dawn; meet me then."
She nodded confirmation, gave him a quick hug, and turned to leave. "See you in the morning then."
Fox turned to follow her with his eyes as she left the wall, turning back to stare out at the ocean again once she'd disappeared. All he saw in the waters now was a pair of steel-blue eyes, regarding him levelly.
The next morning, he awaited down at the docks for dawn to arrive, admiring the immense vessel that was to speed him across the bay, her large furled sails flapping idly in the brisk morning wind coming off the desert. He heard his name called behind him, and he turned to see Jane walking towards him, her parents behind. They had obviously come to briefly see her off before starting work this morning, as his had done. He bowed as they approached – they were Governors, after all.
"Now, none of that, Delphi, my boy," her father lightly chastised him. "We all know each other well enough to dispense with a few formalities. Besides, I'm not on duty yet." He smiled, exchanging greetings and shaking hands with Fox' parents. "In fact, I hear I should nearly be bowing to you, such an innovative chap you are. I don't really think my brother will need much convincing to go along with your idea – just work out the details, I imagine."
Fox smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, sir; I'm hoping so. Finding a commander for the expedition is likely what's really difficult; I'm hoping someone within his staff will be just as keen."
The governor laughed. "Oh, I don't think that'll be a problem in the slightest – I don't think he'll need to look very far at all."
Fox didn't quite understand the import of what he said – it all sounded quite cryptic – but he smiled and nodded politely. "I expect you're right."
"Of course I'm right," he replied jovially. "Governors always are!" His wife looked at him sceptically. "They have such good wives, you see; keeps them in line," he continued, sparking off grins all round. It was easy to see why he was popular with the people.
A light cough behind him made Fox turn and notice the captain standing patiently. "My lords, the ship is ready to sail. We should leave soon to catch a favourable tide."
Fox assented, and turned back to make his final goodbyes to his parents and the governors. Walking up the gangplank, he felt a certain sadness at parting, but almost immediately was hit with a sense of excitement; he was on his way to meet the Kahn!
He and Jane waved back at their parents as the ship slipped away from the harbour on small sail, and then hurried to the front when they had cleared the breakwater. Hazily in the distance they could make out the shore further around the massive Bay of Delphi. The sails were unfurled to their full expanse, and the ship seemed to leap forward like a wild animal freed. They whooped with excitement as they sped across the bay – a trip that would take almost a day by road was mere hours by a ship like this.
They stayed above decks for the duration of the swift journey, and were soon welcomed by the sight of Gaia's small coastal trading port – the city itself was inland, but a harbour had been built on the coast so not all good were required to go through Delphi first, making trade into the capital much more efficient. Although not on the scale as that in Delphi, this was more exquisitely designed and sculpted – already steel sculptures were taking the placed of rusted ironworks that had stood there for centuries.
Upon disembarking, they were met by a member of the Kahn's personal staff and a detachment of royal guards, as well as a carriage, of all things. Fox opened the door for Jane, then got in himself.
"Well, this is nice – just as well you came along!" he joked. "It's a long walk to the city."
Jane looked puzzled. "I didn't tell my uncle I was coming – I wanted to surprise him."
Fox looked at her quizzically. "Curious."
Their short trip through the outskirts of Gaia separating the harbour from the city was relatively uneventful, save the occasional odd glance from the average citizen. They both stared out the carriage windows for the most part, Fox looking out Jane's window more often than not. After the better part of an hour at a slow but steady pace, they arrived at the main city gates.
The wall surrounding the outer city was still the same as when it was reinforced during the Theril Retaliation. Few residences other than temporary lodges lay outside the walls; like most Gaian cities, expansion was in the direction of multi-story buildings, as opposed to building new houses outside the protection of the walls. Despite being at peace with the Prasians – the only other civilisation they were aware of – precautions were still taken as a matter of course.
Massive steel gates were swung inward, kept open in times of peace, but when shut provided a solid 2-foot thick defence against any outside force. The walls themselves were thicker than Fox even considered estimating, constructed of precisely pieced together granite blocks from the mountains near Kora, many leagues to the North. Fox also happened to know that the city was built on a solid foundation of volcanic rocks; originally molten run-off from Mt. Chimaera, the great dormant peak to the South-West of the city.
Inside, no buildings were built within a full hundred metres of the wall, and on the border of that break stood the imposing barracks of the City Guard, through which all travellers had to enter. Needless to say, the carriage and it's Royal Guard detachment rode straight through without so much as pausing, the City Guards on duty saluting smartly the carriage and their escort. They might not know their exact identity, but they knew that anyone travelling in such a way undeniably deserved their respect.
This was not a view Fox in particular agreed with, but he wasn't about to comment – he knew his fellow passenger was certainly deserving, or no-one was.
The street leading up from the gates was dominated by tavern after inn after hotel, offering any and every class of accommodation to suit how much one had to spend. Their various rooms and embellishments were displayed outside, and Fox noted most of the more exclusive were closer to the city gates, catching the views of most passers-by, with cheaper rooms the further in. As they continued to penetrate the city, the trend reversed once more with growing proximity to the more exclusive trading areas, and, of course, the palace.
The palace enclosure was one which boasted at least as much defence as the city itself. One stout wall, followed by another 50 metres or so beyond, the intervening space appearing to be the palace stables. At any rate, that is where they disembarked, and were escorted to the inner gates – small enough to admit only a small group of people at a time, although the wall through which it provided entrance was nearly half as high as the primary.
As they passed under that wall, Fox looked about him at the solid, smoothly engineered blocks fitting seamlessly together above and around him, making him feel a slight claustrophobia. Judging by Jane's slightly heavier breathing, he wasn't the only one. Taking her hand lightly, he gave it a reassuring squeeze, eliciting a small smile of gratitude.
"Jane?" a surprised voice interrupted his sudden whirlwind of thoughts. The voice was melodic but firm, carrying strength and authority, much like the man who produced it.
"Uncle!" Jane ran across the short courtyard to embrace her illustrious relative. Fox followed at a much more reserved pace, examining the great man he had come to meet.
A little taller than he, Kahn Chimaera was of a relatively average build, but lean, muscular, and undeniably fit. Dressed in an almost-uniform of military cut, Fox felt distinctly underdressed, despite wearing his best suit, though, evaluating the ruler, he expected most people felt the same way in his presence.
"I just wanted to surprise you," Jane was saying.
"Well, you certainly achieved that, my dear." The Kahn looked up at Fox. "And you must be the young man with the interesting ideas."
Fox nodded. "Delphi Fox, at your service, sir."
The Kahn presented his hand, and they shook. "No need for that, my boy; we're all friends here. You know, Jane here and her father have both said a great deal about you. From them, it would appear your only fault is that you seem to lack them entirely."
Fox smiled wryly. "Not meaning to discredit their observations, but I expect that's a matter you would be better to consult with my parents about."
The Kahn laughed. "Well said indeed! Perhaps one day I may have the pleasure of doing just that. For now why don't we retreat somewhere out of this blazing sun, and get some refreshment." He turned and led them inside the ornate wooden doors. Fox raised an eyebrow at Jane, mouthing the words, 'Me, faultless?' She blushed and preceded him inside, following her uncle down a corridor into a spacious lounge area.
"Now, your belongings have been taken to your rooms," he said, taking a comfortable seat by the window. "I'll show you to them after we've had a bit more of a chat. Now, would anyone like something to drink before we start – some ale, a nice wine perhaps?"
Fox found himself regarded first, smiled, and gestured at Jane. "Ladies first, my lord."
The Kahn looked pleased. "Indeed. I don't suppose I could encourage you to stay longer – you might teach some of my courtiers far better manners. My dear?" he enquired of his niece, caught regarding Delphi.
She blushed. "Ah, a nice white wine, if you don't mind, uncle."
"But of course, my dear. And the gentleman?"
Fox' mind raced momentarily, then remembered Jane telling him once of the Kahn's favourite drink, though he was sure she wouldn't remember telling him.
"I'll have a Theril Brandy, thank you. On the rocks, if possible."
The Kahn's eyebrows shot up. "Why, that's my own favourite," he said, sounding surprised but delighted. "Do you have yours with lemon?" he inquired.
Fox smiled slightly. "When it's available," he said wryly. "Sometimes lime for variation."
"Indeed, the seasons can be temperamental," the Kahn sympathised. He rang a small bell and asked the butler for two Brandies, with ice and lime, and a chilled bottle of Umma Riesling. The servant nodded and left. "Shouldn't be more than a few minutes," the ruler informed. "Now, please, tell me of your journey. You like our new Falcon-class Frigates?"
Fox had seen the name engraved on the side of their vessel, so he knew the Kahn referred to the ship on which they'd arrived. "Phenomenal. Such speed, and without any of the uneasy creaking of the old wooden boats. And the stability in the water was amazing."
The Kahn nodded. "You know a fair bit about ships and sailing then?"
"Not nearly as much as I'd like," Fox demurred. "I've been out on the bay a few times, and read quite a bit of the engineering specifications, but I'm no professional, by any stretch."
The Kahn scoffed politely. "Well if that's your experience, then it sounds as if you know more than anyone except perhaps the engineers themselves, and the captains, I suppose. Though their knowledge is more how to operate the beast, not how it actually works."
Fox accepted the compliment with a shrug. "I'll have to take your word, sir. I haven't made a proper study of them."
The Kahn turned to regard his niece. "Is he always like this? Such irritating modestly?"
She shook her head in exasperation. "You have no idea, uncle. Sometimes it can take weeks to get a compliment into him, though he dishes them out on a regular basis. It really is frustrating."
Fox blushed severely as the Kahn nodded soberly. "I can only imagine. Just as well he has someone with your perseverance to keep him on his toes. Put him properly into place."
She shook her head. "Sometimes even I throw in the towel – he really does have the endurance of a stone, and the stubbornness of a mule."
Her uncle raised an eyebrow as Delphi continued to blush furiously – mostly because he couldn't really deny anything that she said. "Sounds a bit like someone else I know," the Kahn said cleverly, the implication clear. This time it was Jane's turn to blush, as Fox tried not to laugh. She couldn't really deny those charges either.
Both of them were saved from more of the Kahn's quick tongue by the arrival of their drinks. Fox managed to restrain himself to sipping his Brandy, as opposed to knocking it back in one; he felt sure he'd need a bit of insulation soon. "How's the wine?" he asked Jane mildly, quick to take the opportunity to change subject.
She looked at him curiously from over the glass, halfway through a sip. "Wonderful. Quite fruity."
Fox nodded. "Rieslings usually are. What vintage is that, do you know?" he asked the Kahn.
"Few years ago now," the Kahn mused, picking the bottle out of it's lightly iced chiller. "Ah yes, eight years ago now; a 5036 vintage."
Fox nodded approvingly. "A good year for Umma. The year after was even better, reportedly, but I believe most of it hasn't yet been released."
The Kahn again looked quite astounded. "That is quite correct; I've had my staff trying to gain access to their cellars for a couple of years now for the 5037. You know quite a lot about a great many things, Mr. Fox."
Fox shrugged and smiled. "I keep my eyes and ears open, and a good memory helps."
Kahn gestured at Fox as he looked at his niece. "This is a truly amazing man."
"I know," Jane said softly, seemingly without thinking, regarding Delphi with mute astonishment. She blushed slightly when she realised just what she'd said, but her slip of the tongue went seemingly unnoticed. Given the company, she should have known better.
The Kahn gave her an evaluative glance before returning his attention to Delphi. "You haven't come, of course, to talk about wine, I believe. Your letter to me wasn't particularly detailed, and my advisors took one look at your suggestion and dismissed them seemingly out of hand. Perhaps you could tell me why I should give them more consideration."
Fox appreciated his bluntness, and took another gulp of his drink to smooth his nerves and prepare his nerves. Both the Kahn and his niece regarded him, and he was struck with the image of two eagles considering prey. Forcibly, he pushed all thoughts of nervousness out of his mind and concentrated his thoughts on the subject at hand, though keeping in mind who he was addressing.
"Well, with all due respect to your advisors, I expect most of them would dismiss anything that they had not thought of themselves, for fear of undermining their own feel of power and self-importance."
Jane looked taken aback by his blunt accusations, but the Kahn only smiled slightly and nodded for him to continue.
"Additionally, colonising places over the ocean would introduce an aspect of Gaia that they did not have any semblance of control over – they don't really have any here either, but they're able to fool themselves into believing that they do, to lend themselves worth. By extending beyond the continent, it would be a hole in their control, as far as they're concerned."
"But enough about your 'advisors'; I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. My personal reasons for such an expansion, however – that is, I expect, why you've invited me here."
He paused, and the Kahn nodded, smiling broadly now. "One of the reasons, yes."
Fox nodded, his mind racing. 'One of the reasons'? He pushed the distraction aside, marshalled his thoughts, and ploughed on. "As I it, the Gaian civilisation is at a critical point. It's been a couple of generations since the Theril Retaliation, and people are slowly settling down the continent, claiming what was Halite as Gaian. That's all well and good, but I don't think we should settle only for that."
"Most of the expansion is coming from the smaller, Southern, more newly established towns; the dreams of moving on and settling anew are moving down to the next generations, and people are following that dream, rather than stay and build up a metropolis."
"But as for the greater metropolis-sized Northern cities; Gaia, Delphi, Lagash, and Umma especially. We don't have anywhere left to expand to, realistically – it seems an almost impossible effort to pack up and take a Southerly ship by oneself, or to trek down the highways. There's too many considerations and responsibilities; many think of their jobs, or their children, elderly parents, loved ones," he did not look at Jane as he spoke, "and decide the cost of leaving isn't worth following their dream."
"A state funded expedition, blessed by the Kahn – that offers a completely different opportunity. The whole family can emigrate, loved ones can be encouraged to join for the adventure, and there's a sure guarantee of hard work and a new life at journey's end – another consideration prospective settlers find daunting. An independent party setting off to start anew must build from ground-up, without any aid but what they bring with them. Fund an expedition, send some experienced engineers, artisans, leaders, and a small military force to secure the area, and you put many of those worries to rest."
He stopped and caught his breath; the Kahn nodded slowly, considering his words. "The leader of such an expedition would be crucial," he said, not quite suggestively. "A passion and dedication for its success; a fair idea of the outcome – and above all, a sense of responsibility. A sense of innovation wouldn't go amiss either," he mused.
Delphi sipped his drink and shrugged. "I'm sure you have adequate officers in your garrison," he said lightly. "I haven't really given that side of things much thought – more the theory. I don't much know about that sort of administration."
The Kahn looked at him sharply – there hadn't even been a hint of duplicity in his voice. He really hadn't given it much thought, it appeared – and just as clearly, it appeared he hadn't caught what the Kahn had been hinting at; most of his courtiers would have jumped at the opportunity to put themselves forward – very modestly, of course. He struggled to keep surprise and amusement off his face.
"Officers aren't so capable when it comes to innovation and independent thinking," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Besides which, the officer of the units I send as a garrison force will be there to advise you, if need be."
Draining the rest of his glass, Fox nodded absently, until the full import of what Chimaera had said hit him. Coughing, he managed not to spill his drink as he spluttered, looking incredulously at the Kahn. "Me?" he managed faintly, his voice strained with amazement.
Chimaera only nodded, choosing not to notice the younger man's obvious distress. "Yes, I think you have the best idea of what is required and necessary. I'll write up all the necessary forms and authorisations, and you can take it from there. I'll give you your pick of civil engineers and administrators to take with you."
Staring absently out the window at nothing, Fox's mind raced. "Yes, sir," he said softly, then his voice firmed as he set his mind to work. "Someone to help me as a governor will be necessary; I have observed the Pilats in Delphi, but not closely enough to know all the considerations necessary." ME? What was he thinking – he hadn't the slightest clue or experience. "Engineers skilled in working under close restrictions – conservative with materials, but not ideas." He had thought of himself just as a pioneering settler – maybe an advisor at most, in recognition of his ideas, but certainly nothing more.
"Some minor tradesmen – their view will be important with placement, as will the army officers you send." Light, he only had wild dreams of building cities, usually exercised in his drawing – nothing technical, only faint impressions on what would be nice to see in a town. "And probably someone skilled at civic entertainment – we will need to take people's minds off their shift in lifestyle – that will be inevitable, no matter adventurous out settlers are." He could hardly organise himself sometimes, let alone thousands of people – and all that responsibility! He quailed at the thought. "I'm not sure how many ocean-capable ships you have, but we will need quite a few, I fear."
He sat there, still gazing blankly out the window as if he hadn't said a thing, then blinked and turned to look directly at the Kahn, open concern etched in his face. "Sir, are you sure that this is a good idea?"
The Kahn nodded reassuringly. "I was sure, and hearing your considerations now I'm almost positive. Regardless of what you may think yourself, you have a better grasp on management and governance than many with much more experience. And regardless also of your personal organisation, getting people to move in the direction you want is not something you'll find difficult, I'll wager. You're age won't be a problem – you don't look young in the slightest, and your bearing and manner is of one as old as I – we'll just make no mention of your actual age and be done with it."
Delphi looked surprised at hearing his concerns answered so accurately, wondering if he'd spoken them aloud. The Kahn chuckled internally – Fox hadn't needed to say a thing for Chimaera to know his troubles – they were the same concerns he had to face himself on a daily basis. "Don't worry, Mr Fox, you'll do fine. You may not feel as if you're up to the job, but as long as you think that, you'll try even harder to prove that you are – we push ourselves harder than anyone else can. Though I'll wager Jane does a good enough job," he added slyly, inciting a blush and a scathing glance from his niece.
Fox didn't seem to notice. The tension was still in him, but his eyes had shifted from a concerned doubtfulness to steely determination – a determination to prove himself worthy of the Kahn's expectations – though Chimaera expected it was quite probably more than just that. A very interesting young man indeed.
Fox drained the rest of his Brandy, head spinning, but not with the drink. He looked evenly at the Kahn. "I accept this commission, and pledge to do my level best to establish a settlement worthy of your faith in me." He suddenly looked decades older to the Kahn's eyes, as if a mountain had settled itself solidly on his shoulders. Chimaera only hoped he'd bear up under the weight.
Resting his empty glass on the table beside him, Fox looked at it for a moment, then turned back to the Kahn. "If you wouldn't mind, may I rest a while? I believe I might need it – just for a couple of hours at least."
The Kahn nodded sympathetically. "But of course; I'll show you the way." He waved at the bell-pull next to his chair which he had used to summon the drinks. "There will be one of these in your reception room – someone will always be on hand if there's anything you need, or even if you just wish to be shown around the place." He rose and motioned for them to follow.
Through numerous corridors and up sweeping flights of stairs, the Kahn led them to a corner suite of rooms on the second to top level of the palace. Arched windows offered a breathtaking view over the city stretching to the wall, the harbour visible in the distance. Opening a large wooden door inlaid with the royal crest, he preceded them inside, opening curtains to light up the room. Fox entered behind Jane, and his stride faltered slightly upon seeing the regal apartment.
A pair of couches and a half-dozen chairs, all elaborately upholstered, made, no doubt, of the finest leathers, were dotted around the room – this must be the reception room the Kahn had referred to earlier – Fox spied the bell-pull to the right of the door. Intricately woven tapestries hung on the walls, and the floor was carpeted in what he suspected was premium quality wool – probably from exclusive Lagash Alpaca. Two other doors identical to that which they had entered stood closed on opposite sides of the room, and facing the entrance were W-folding doors out onto a spacious stone balcony.
"I've had these rooms prepared for you," the Kahn told them solicitously, "this is just the common room; you each have private reception rooms, bathing facilities, and of course master bedrooms and private balconies. Jane, your rooms are to the left; Mr Fox, yours are through to the right. I do hope you'll find them adequate."
"Thank you, uncle, I'm sure they'll be just fine, don't you think, Delphi?" she asked him cheekily, smiling at his amazement – his mouth wasn't quite gaping open.
"You're asking me?" Delphi said in amazement, able to contain himself no longer. "I'm really not used to this sort of thing," he muttered, shaking his head as if expecting to wake up from a dream.
Jane and her uncle exchanged an amused look, Jane trying very hard not to laugh aloud. "I may be the Kahn, but I prefer to be an accommodating host," Chimaera explained easily, "And this is the palace, after all; we could hardly be seen as anything but luxurious. I expect you'd do the same if you were in my position, correct?"
"Well, yes, but..," Fox couldn't really say anything to that. "I really need to lie down," he said sheepishly. "If you'll excuse me?" he bowed and almost staggered to the door leading through to the right, stalling again at the sight of his 'private reception room', "More like a flaming throne-room," he muttered, taking in the luxurious surroundings, before closing the door behind him and moving to the other opposite him.
Opening that, he halted again, "One thing after another," he murmured, appraising the massive four-poster bed, his clothes already hung in the oversized wardrobe, more of the luxurious carpeting overlaid with an exquisite – and no doubt extremely expensive – rug, before shifting his gaze to the opening to his private balcony. Lacework curtains shaded another set of those W-folding doors, which he opened and exited.
The first thing he noticed was that the balcony was inset into the building, not overhanging – its floor was the roof of the room below, and to his left was a small door back to his reception room. In contrast to the furnishings inside, a simple stone table seemed to grow out of the balcony, a pair of simple wooden recliner chairs flanking it. The rail bordering the small enclosure was of marble, no doubt extensively strengthened, small arches as the base ensuring nothing important – like a person – could slip through, and a thick crossbar on an inward angle ensured the same of anyone leaning on it.
Moving over to do just that, Delphi noticed for the first time the definitive importance of such precautions; they were almost a full hundred metres above the gardens below. Forcing himself from looking straight down, he shifted his gaze up to the solid walls encircling the palace grounds, watching small figures of soldiers going through the motions of patrol.
Then, there was simply no avoidance; he lifted his gaze and let his eyes drink in the fantastic view. Stretching out beyond the palace walls was the city; block after block dwindling off into the distance, where the Gaia river winded its lazy way around the city from the North – Fox' view was to the West, and in the hazy distance he could make out the mountain range that extended virtually unbroken across the continent.
Looking up and behind him, he noticed that although this was the second-to-top level, he couldn't see any part of the palace extending above him. Remembering pictures drawn of the palace, he recalled that the topmost level was the Kahn's own rooms, running the length of what must be the other side of the palace to this, with a rooftop garden and small observatory.
Shaking his head in mute astonishment, he wandered back inside, leaving the W-doors open to let the afternoon breeze refresh the room. Removing his boots, he jumped onto the bed, twisting himself to fall flat on his back, sinking into the beautifully soft mattress, sliding across the top of the sheets – they must have been silk. He looked to his right and saw another bell-pull next to the bed, and remembered the small, almost camouflaged door in his reception – he guessed it must be the servant's entrance.
Giving the cord a single tug, he waited only a few moments before there was a knock at his door. "Come."
A tall man who must have been in his mid-twenties pushed open the door. "You called, sir?" he enquired.
"Yes, thank you," Delphi acknowledged. "I was just wondering if someone would be able to wake me up in..," he noticed the clock on the wall next to the door, "two hours. I'll need to refresh myself and make myself ready for dinner tonight."
The servant nodded approvingly. "Very good, sir. I shall make sure of it myself. Is there anything else sir requires?"
Delphi made a show of considering the question, more to cover his surprise than anything else – servants; light, this would take some getting used to! "No, thank you all the same." The servant bowed and left.
Still shaking his head in wonder, Fox closed his eyes and almost immediately slipped out of consciousness.